StraightChuter.com Raison d’être – Selling Out?
Last summer I went to an all-day seminar by a woman who helped professional athletes promote themselves. About halfway into her talk people were squirming in their seats at many of her suggestions and she said “I’m getting the impression that in the climbing and skiing world it’s not socially acceptable to promote yourself or your sport, so how do you guys (and girls) expect to make a living doing this?” That’s a good question and is why many people guide, write, sell photos or become ski bums – it is very difficult to make a living as a full-time backcountry skier. Sponsorship goes a long ways, but is miniscule compared to other sports. I remember driving by a mansion in Rhode Island which belonged to a famous golfer and thinking what a financially poor choice becoming a ski mountaineer was. Oh well..!
As a way of supporting this site and my dubious profession, Backcountry.com has made a special offer where I get a commission on anything that is bought through them at this site. This is a good deal all around, as Backcountry.com offers 15% off on almost any purchase, and the shipping, as they say, is wicked fast.
My idea with advertising is based on the Google model of having free info and paid-for-content related, but clearly separated. For instance a posting on navigation might have a link to a GPS unit I’d recommend from Backcountry.com at the bottom. It’s there is you want it, and if not, I can always eat Top Ramen. :)
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Click the Golden Goat for 15% off from Backcountry.com…
Category: Random
Sadly, it will always be hard to make a lot of money off backcountry skiing.
But, Andrew you are the first to try I guess. So, there are a lot more doors for you to knock on with oppertunitites then those that will follow you…